Thousands of leaders and activists of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and its associate bodies joined the party's divisional rally in Rangpur on Saturday despite facing problems amid transport strike.
The rally organized by Rangpur city unit BNP, formally began on Rangpur Collector Eidgah ground, around 12pm, two hours before the scheduled time, as the venue has already been packed with opposition activists.
An adequate number of police and other security officials have been deployed around the rally venue and at different points of the city to prevent any untoward incident.
The organizers said the rally was meant to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government, a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not allow it to happen.
BNP senior leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and some standing committee members, are expected to address the rally.
The BNP activists started gathering at the rally venue from late Friday afternoon and many of them stayed overnight there.
Today’s rally is the fourth rally by the BNP at the divisional level as the first one was held in Chattogram the second one in Mymensingh and the third in Khulna.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
